Argintinian Flair and the 2007 Reininger Malbec
- Malbec vines in an Argentinian vineyard
Although Malbec was traditionally grown in France (more on that later, don’t worry), today most people associate the varietal with Argentina. Conversely, Malbec has become Argentina’s wine identity. When you are thinking of what to eat with the 2007 Reininger Malbec, use the Argentinian association as a reminder of what pairs well. As a quick rule of thumb, pair the 2007 Reininger Malbec with traditional Argentinian foods, like a hearty steak. We’ll give you more pairing details and recipes later, for now, let’s return to Argentina.
History of Malbec in Argentina
In the mid 19th century, Domingo Faustino Sarmieto, the Argentinian provincial governor, decreed some French Malbec cuttings should be brought to Argentina. Maybe Sarmieto’s was yearning for his favorite flavors of his former life, maybe he thought the vines would be well suited to the unique terroir. Either way, it was a match made in heaven. Malbec thrived until the 20th century when Argentina’s Continue reading “Argintinian Flair and the 2007 Reininger Malbec” »
Introducing the Award Winning 2006 Helix Sangiovese
Sangiovese is the type of wine that transports drinker into sun drenched Italian county sides, surrounded by rolling hills olive trees, and wildly gesticulating Italians. Many wine drinkers only know Sangiovese, if they’ve tasted it at all, as part of Chianti blends. Whether you’ve never had pure Sangiovese or you’ve been sipping it for years, the 2006 Helix Sangiovese should become a regular in your wine repertoire. One of the aspects that make Sangioveses very appealing is that they are excellent food wines. Could you really expect anything less from a wine that comes from the heart of Italy? Read a few more details, then pick up some bottles of the 2006 Sangiovese and enjoy.
2006 Helix Sangiovese Technical Information
The 2006 Helix Sangiovese is made from 100% Sangiovese grapes from Stillwater Creek Vineyard. What makes the 2006 Helix Sangiovese truly unique, is that the grapes are made from the only Sangiovese clone 19 and 23 planted in Washington. Why are those two clones so important and exciting to a wine geek? Sangiovese clones 19 and 23 are clones of the old Brunello Sangiovese vine from Italy. These clones were generated from legendary vines and are destined to make amazing wine. When you start with genetically gifted grapes and add a skilled and passionate wine maker, how could you go wrong? In fact, we’re not the only ones who love our 2006 Helix Sangiovese, Wine Enthusiast gave it a 92.
Tasting Notes?
Enough of the technical details, here is how our expert wine pourer Courtney Morgan describes the wine, “With every sip of our 2006 Helix Sangiovese, you will feel the warm Italian sunshine on your face and toes, as you are arrested by the divine smells of freshly baked, ruby-red cherry pie, raspberry preserves, black licorice and bay leaf. Let the wine warm you belly with a taste of tart cherries, juicy marionberries, white chocolate, a nudge of violet and a hint of vanilla extract.”
Don’t take our word for how fantastic an addition this wine is. Order the 2006 Helix Sangiovese today. As always, we welcome your comments, questions, and feedback!
Reininger’s Quick Guide to Oak in Wine
Reininger Barrels
Oak is one of those many wine terms that can be a bit confusing to fully comprehend. Sometimes oak is praised as making a wine truly fantastic, while other times oak can be blamed for ruining a wine. Some varietals thrive from proper contact with oak, while others don’t benefit from it. Today we want to give you a quick lesson in Oak 101 to give you more knowledge on what you’re buying and drinking.
The Role of Oak in Wine making
You could literally write books about this topic, but as a favor to you, we’re keeping this explanation short and sweet. Back in the day (aka very beginnings of wine), wine was stored in clay amphorae (large clay pots). During the Roman empire, they started putting wine into oak barrels because oak wood was easy to shape, and easy to transport. Eventually, those smart Romans realized that the exposure to oak actually changed, and in many cases improved the quality of the wines. The use of oak in wine making can vastly change the wines flavor, tannin level, texture, and even color. Wine is exposed to oak during the fermentation and/or aging processes. Traditionally, oak exposure came from storage in barrels, but today it can also be done by adding oak chips or wooden staves (sticks) to wine aging in stainless steel tank. As you might know there are two main types of oak, and we’ll introduce you to both.
French Oak in Wine
If you’ve read wine labels, chances are you’ve seen some wines waxing on about how they have not used any old oak, but they’ve used new French Oak. What is so special about French oak? Why not any other type of oak? French oak creates silky and delicate tannins, translating to slight sweetness and fruity flavors that linger in the mouth. French oak is also seen as more special because of its rarity and expense. Due to the grain and nature of the processing, French oak yields much less usable wood per tree than American oak. You can think of French oak as the refined older sister of oaks, more expensive, more elusive and harder to get to know.
American Oak in Wine
If French oak is the refined older sister, American oak is the eager junior high sister. American oak is much more plentiful due to its looser grain and less wasteful processing method. It is much more intensely flavored with prominent sweet and vanilla overtones. American oak releases its aromas much more quickly than French oak, which is ideal for wines that have shorter maturation periods. Over the past ten years or so, the American oak industry has come a long way. They’ve refined their aging methods and drying periods and maturing nicely. American oak barrels are getting better every year.
Oak Tones in Tasting Notes
So now that you’re an expert on oak, how does this translate into the flavors of the wines you drink? Most wine drinkers are most aware of oak in the context of Chardonnay (link to previous blog about this). Just the right amount of oak can lend a creaminess to Chardonnay, often associated with vanilla, toasty flavors. In contrast, the 2010 Helix Chardonnay had very little exposure to oak and has more of a fresh, green flavor that has won over plenty “Anything But Chardonnay” believers. But we digress, we’ve already told you all about the Helix 2010 Chardonnay, just scroll back in our blog for plenty more information.
Red wines exposed to oak often present flavors of: mocha, toffee, smoke, spice, cigar box. White wines exposed to oak often present flavors of: caramel, vanilla, cream, smoke, spice, coconut, cinnamon and cloves…..What’s that you say? What about butter? The buttery aromas and flavors you’ve come to expect from chardonnay is not from oak, rather from malolactic fermentation! (If you’re wondering what in the world malolactic fermentation is, catch up in our quick explanation of Malolactic Fermentation)
On Location- Reininger in the Bahamas
Walla Walla Red Wine in the Bahamas
While our fantastic graphic designer (aka chief mischief maker), Courtney, was in the Bahamas, she met up with some friends. Long story short, her friends are from Walla Walla and four months into an awesome sailing adventure. They are planning to circumnavigate the world over the next few years by sailboat.
Although experienced sailors will tell you how surprisingly much you can fit onto a well packed sailboat, if you’re packing for a two year plus trip, you need to be very strategic. So what do you think these wonderful people decided they couldn’t live without on their epic sojourn? Some 1997 Reininger Cabernet Sauvignon, of course! Our Reininger Cabernet Sauvignon’s just get better with age, we wish we were there to share a wonderfully aged wine with a beautiful view!
Where Have You Taken Reininger?
Cheers to and safe travels to our die-hard “Reiningang”! Where have you taken a bottle of Reininger? Send us a picture and we’ll feature you on our blog.
Reininger Red Wine Club
We’re guessing since these Walla Wallans couldn’t live without their Reininger wine during their travels, they are most likely members of our fantastic Reininger Red Wine Club. Sign up for the waiting list, and soon soon enough you’ll have access to members only specials, news, recipes, and library and limited release wines.
